mash up with travelogues, books, movies, music and all things in between

Monday, 22 August 2011

Of movies and music..

Everyone who has ever watched a movie with me will tell you that I am a very harsh critic, that I find faults with most movies, especially Hindi ones - which seem to be remarkably short on logic, reason, plot, screenplay, acting - pretty much everything..

So I recently saw a few Hindi movies (some new, some old) that I really liked (like a lot of people out there) and I thought I should write about them, well just to prove that I actually do appreciate a well made movie!

Dev D - Relatively old movie, I know! But I only recently saw it. I think what makes this movie great, is how Anurag Kashyap has taken elements / stories that have happened in the recent past and weaved them into an age old story that we all know and have seen many times over. The narrative is crisp, to-the-point and extremely contemporary. The characters are bold and un-apologetic. The performances are brilliant, especially Abhay Deol, who goes on a very convincing path of 21st century style self destruction.

Not to be forgotten, is the music. Amit Trivedi and Co, have put together a soundtrack that not only gels with the movie, but is extra-ordinary as a stand alone album. Most tracks are experimental and Amit Trivedi has been fearless and mixed rock, Indian classical, Jazz, Folk, Electronica, Western Pop / Soul and of course Bhangra. My favorite tracks are (not surprisingly) "Nayan Tarse", "Payaliya" and "Emotional Attyachar (rock version)".

ZNMD - I was very apprehensive about this one. Does this have a "Dil Chahta Hai" hangover? Does it over-promise and under-deliver? Maybe this is like Rock-On - another saga on friendship... Even after reading the good reviews, I still wasn't sure if I will like it. But when I saw it, boy, was I happy? I loved it! I wanted to see it all over again, I felt like making a movie myself!
For those of you who haven't seen it, its about three thirty something men who go on a "bachelor" road trip. Its a feel good movie where the three friends embark on an almost life altering trip where they all fight their own demons. I, of course, identified the most with the character played by Hrithik Roshan, as I have too worked many long hours, scheduled my plans while on holiday around work calls, reviewed documents in a cave hotel and would have completely lost it someone threw my blackberry out of the window! The movie works because the lead actors gel together. Farhan Akhtar is at times too goofy, but excels in his moment of truth. And aah yes, Abhay Deol...he makes his role look so easy, and almost plays third-fiddle to other two. But watch out for the expression on his face in the last adventure, and you know that this has been a class act once again. However, the real star is Zoya Akhtar, although I still think "Luck By Chance" might be better in terms of screen play and story telling.

The music is superb - Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy definitely don't disappoint. Its easy to see why "Senorita" is so popular, its melodious and the mix of Spanish and Hindi as well as the interplay of the "lead" singers is quite good. I can't decide between "Der Lagee Lekin" and "Sooraj ki Baahon Mein", but hey, both are good!

So here I am raving about movies I saw recently. I do hope you see these movies (if you haven't!), but definitely listen to the soundtracks, as while one is more "mainstream", they both provide a complete contrast to each other that always is a good thing..

5 comments:

The treatment for Dev's character was Abhay's idea and did it and did it and did it and was inspired by his own life. He used to abuse drugs earlier in his own life... Nayan Tarse is my absolute favourite, I love the way Oh Pardesi was shot. Zindagi Naa Milegi Dobara, is a very quintessential Akhtar's movie (barring Game, but I guess Farhan produced it and did it and did it and was shot. Zindagi Naa Milegi Dobara, is a very quintessential Akhtars movie (barring Game, but I guess Farhan produced it for Dev's

Really happy to see that you're enjoying some movies Sharma!! Totally agree with you about both the movies. Another thing that stood out for in ZNMD was the maturity of the movie (certainly more mature than Dil chahta hai). e.g., the scene of Nasreeudin Shah and Farhan. Not over melodramatic which a usual Bollywood movie would have been. Also loved the personal touch with the guys singing in their own voice. Addicted to the song Senorita!!

Vipul- Totally agree about the maturity point - also scene where Hrithik cries after deep sea diving - its a very complex scene, but they have kept it so low key - especially the fact that the others in the scene are so happy to let him reflect and not come up with random drivel..actually another of my fav scenes is Hrithik in Lakshya, when he decides upon his goal and vows to not return without getting it..another brilliant movie, that one..

About Me

Eternally curious and seriously opinionated..In these pages you will find me questioning and opining on norms, issues, cultures, films, music, books, fashion and anything under the sun really! Looking forward to a constructive dialogue with you my dear readers and I hope you find this an interesting read!